New Delhi: Leaders of the INDIA bloc are preparing for a public impeachment-style programme against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, with a meeting held at the residence of Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss preparations.
The meeting was attended by Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, KC Venugopal, Meira Kumar, Jairam Ramesh, Pawan Khera and Gaurav Gogoi, along with Mahua Manjhi, John Brittas, Derek O’Brien, RJD leader Abhay Sinha and Samajwadi Party leader Harendra Malik, among others.
According to reports, the programme is being planned along the lines of a parliamentary proceeding, with the exercise structured like a parliamentary session. Members of Parliament will speak from both the Treasury Benches and the Opposition side.
Around 40 speakers are likely to participate. Congress MPs Akhilesh Prasad Singh and Deepender Singh Hooda, along with Trinamool Congress MPs Mahua Moitra and Kalyan Banerjee, are likely to speak from the Treasury Benches.
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge are also expected to address the programme, while former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar will chair the session.
Reports said a decision on who will portray CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected soon. Earlier, when asked who would portray Modi, Congress leader Pawan Khera said, “Nobody wants to be PM Modi,” adding that a decision would be taken soon.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh announced on X that the INDIA bloc would hold the programme at Kharge’s official residence in New Delhi on October 30.
Ramesh said the programme would take place at 10, Rajaji Marg, at 3.30 pm on Friday, after the bloc was denied other locations. He accused the CEC of violating the Constitution, undermining electoral democracy and lying to the Supreme Court.
